TAOISEACH’S MOTHER IS LAID TO REST

THOUSANDS of people today attended the funeral of Eithne Kenny, mother of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Requiem Mass was celebrated for the Glencolmcille-born Mrs Kenny at the Church of The Holy Rosary in Castlebar and with burial afterwards at Islandeady Cemetery.

Mrs Kenny is survived by Enda Kenny and his siblings John, Henry, Kieran and Marie.

In his homily, Fr Pat Donnellan said Mrs Kenny was a “dignified and gracious lady of deep faith who gave generously to all of her many gifts”.

He said she was as “proud as punch” that God blessed her with a son who became Taoiseach of the country.

Former President Mrs Mary McAleese and her husband Martin were among the mourners.

In a speech to party faithful at the weekend – just hours after learning of his mother’s death – Mr Kenny spoke of his Donegal heritage.

He told more than a 1,000 party supporters: “I suppose I could say a word about herself who has left.

“Funny thing, my mother – her father was a light-keeper, in Donegal, right around the west coast, actually served on the Tuskar in World War I.”

He explained he had visited the navy ship LE Roisin, saying: “And you know, fate plays its own coincidence in these things, I suppose — I decided some time ago to go and visit the Navy.

“But being a woman who loved the sea, and had a great affection for the lifeboats, I suppose it was fitting that, shortly after eight this morning, I had a call from Fionnuala to tell me — it was just north of the Tuskar Rock — that her spirit had gone off into eternity.”

TAOISEACH’S MOTHER IS LAID TO REST was last modified: November 28th, 2011 by Brenda